As of the 2025–2026 school year, APB has banned the use of personal devices in classrooms. Many students have mixed feelings about this change. The school has already taken our phones through YONDR pouches—why take away our laptops and iPads too?

Since last year, the introduction of YONDR pouches has sparked controversy between students and teachers. Ms. Wakita, APB’s 12th grade English teacher, says she has noticed positive change within classrooms following the phone restrictions.

“In the past two years, I have seen more students engaged and actually attempting the assignments,” she said. “They no longer have the ability to secretly scroll on their phone just because they don’t want to participate in the lesson.”

Although the phone ban has shown positive results, how much electronic restriction is too much? This year, APB has taken it a step further by banning all personal devices– laptops and iPads included. This new policy is clearly trying to reduce distractions, but this decision has taken it too far. Kimberly Escobar explains the limitations of using school chromebooks.

“I have a lot of valuable information on my personal computer that I can’t access on the school computers,” she shares. “It’s a lot easier to save passwords.”

Seniors are currently in the middle of completing college applications– we rely on every resource available to us to submit applications on time. It is unfair for the school to ban personal devices schoolwide without keeping seniors in mind. 

“I need it for college applications and email verifications,” Jacquelyne Lezama, a current senior at APB shares. “It’s important to have a personal device during CR. Sometimes the Chromebooks don’t work. We’re behind on FAFSA and, you know.”

I believe that the root of this issue is the lack of trust towards students. While it is a concern that students may misuse their devices, banning them entirely punishes everyone unfairly. 

The school thinks that banning personal devices is the simplest solution to getting students on track– but it overlooks the bigger picture. Students today depend on technology for learning and preparation for college life. Instead of limiting our resources, APB should trust its students to use them responsibly. The phone ban is enough. It’s time to unban the ban on personal devices.